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1 <br />Impacts to migratory birds, including bald eagles, from saline waters in the evaporation ponds on the site <br />are of concern. AmerAlia's application does not mention the expected salinity level in such ponds, but <br />recently permitted operations using similar processes expect to develop hyper - saline water conditions <br />within the life of the project. Hyper - saline waters are a direct threat to migratory birds through contact or <br />ingestion. Ponds in the Yellow Creek vicinity are very attractive to migratory birds due to the lack of water <br />impoundments in the vicinity. Negative impacts to migratory birds can be completely avoided by netting <br />the pond. CDOW recommends that any pond that is expected to develop hyper - saline waters at any point <br />during its life be netted at the outset to eliminate any impact to migratory birds. <br />CDOW also encourages AmerAlia to develop a strong employee wildlife awareness program to minimize <br />car /deer accidents and other disturbances. This program should include a strong disciplinary policy to <br />discourage intentional harm and harassment of wildlife. Contractors and vendors should be held to the <br />same standard to the extent possible. CDOW encourages the establishment of company policy prohibiting <br />the possession of firearms by employees, contractors and vendors in personal or company vehicles on the <br />mine site and while travelling to and from the mine site. <br />Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on this permit application. Please contact me if I can of <br />any further assistance in this matter <br />Sincerely, <br />D • ' enzlow __ <br />Area Manager <br />Meeker Service Center <br />Box 1181 <br />Meeker, CO 81641 <br />XC: Ron Velarde <br />Mike Grode <br />Bob Towry <br />Walt Graul <br />Steve Norris <br />Mike Long <br />Dan McAuliffe, EDO <br />